What are prescription diets?
Prescription diets are those that are manufactured for pets in order to meet special needs in their life. Because they are not for every pet and are specifically tailored for certain health conditions, they must be prescribed by a veterinarian. These diets are one of the tools pet owners can use to prolong the health of their precious companions.
What are some examples of a prescription diet?
If your dog has kidney disease, your veterinarian will likely prescribe a complete food (either dry or canned) that allows the kidneys to function efficiently without undo stress. Proteins and minerals are carefully balanced to provide optimum life functions and a minimum of waste products that normally are removed by the kidneys.
If your cat has gained excessive weight your veterinarian will probably prescribe a diet that would be formulated with high fiber, low carbohydrates, and normal protein, minerals and vitamins. In this way, your cat can lose weight in a safe and healthy way over a prescribed period of time. Once reaching the ideal weight, there are diets that will help to prevent this condition from returning.
Your dog has severe allergy problems that require frequent medication in order to control the associated itch. There are several new prescription diets that will help minimize allergy reactions in pets by containing low allergenic proteins and carbohydrates. They sometimes can control the allergy without further medications.
Does my pet have to stay on these prescription diets for life?
In some cases, if you wish to keep your pet healthy and live a long life, it may be necessary to feed them these diets for life. In many cases, the diet is prescribed only to correct a condition and then return to a normal healthy food.
ALEXANDRIA VETERINARY CLINIC PETCARE CENTER CARRIES A COMPLETE LINE OF PRESCRIPTION DIETS FROM SEVERAL COMPANIES. OUR VETERINARIANS ARE WELL-TRAINED IN PET NUTRITION AND CAN HELP YOU IN YOU SELECTION OF THE RIGHT DIET FOR YOUR PET!
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